There is no typical day at Bishop Burton College. Every day is exciting, challenging, fulfilling and rewarding. But every day is different.

As a specialist land-based college, Bishop Burton has a huge breadth of courses and activities being delivered on any given day.

All the vocational BTEC provision includes work experience placements and, where relevant in areas such as agriculture and equine, on-site duties. Students are fully prepared for employment or a higher level of study.

But they also go above and beyond, with many students receiving regional, national and even international recognition for their achievements during their time at the college.

Students at Bishop Burton College

This was a key factor in Bishop Burton being named the national ‘Outstanding BTEC College of the Year’ by accrediting body Pearson at a prestigious national awards ceremony in July.

In winning the award, the college, near Beverley, beat competition from thousands of education providers across the country.

Chief Executive and Principal, Jeanette Dawson OBE, said: “To be named Outstanding BTEC College of the Year is a wonderful accolade. It reflects the incredible achievements of our students and staff, who go the extra mile to ensure it is such a special college.

“Ensuring our students are given the platform to follow their dreams and fulfil their potential is the priority of everyone here at Bishop Burton. I’m incredibly proud that this has been recognised by Pearson.

“Our BTEC courses ensure students are fully prepared for work, including through work experience places and on-site duties, and our excellent industry links help provide even more opportunities for employment at the end of their studies.”

Pupils graduating from Bishop Burton College

Bishop Burton – which is also a two-time winner of the highly sought after British Quality Foundation (BQF) UK Excellence Award – provides all its full-time further education students with free transport to and from college and on-site accommodation is also available, contributing to a truly vibrant experience and atmosphere. Along with further education courses, the college delivers a range of degree programmes.

The college has outstanding facilities, which contribute to preparing students for work. Agriculture students gain crucial experience on the college’s 360-hecatre farm, which is split between arable and grassland for livestock.

Bishop Burton’s state-of-the-art equine facilities, including an Olympic-standard arena and a host of therapy and rehabilitation rooms, ensure it offers the very best equestrian experience. The facilities are so impressive, the College has been chosen to host the FEI Pony European Championships in 2018.

Animal management students enjoy learning in one of the biggest animal units in the country, with more than 100 species.

The College has also invested heavily in its sports facilities and developed unrivalled partnerships with professional clubs, including Hull City, Hull FC and Hull KR.

The students always come first at Bishop Burton College. All the staff are fully committed to ensuring students fulfil their potential and go on to become the best they can be. This is reflected in a staggering 97% going on to secure employment or a higher level of study within six months of completing their course – one of the highest rates in the country.

Following a full inspection in February 2017, Ofsted highlighted the “positive culture of learning and respect” and “expert and enthusiastic” tutors as key factors in the high number of students who succeed.

It concluded: “The principal and senior managers have energetically and successfully pursued their vision of creating a high performing college. Governors and the senior leadership team have implemented an ambitious plan to provide exceptional facilities for training and research. All staff promote a positive culture of learning and respect that motivates learners to achieve.”

But the college is not only interested in the academic and professional success of its students – it wants them to be the happiest, healthiest people they can be. For this reason, sport and well-being – both physical and mental – are at the heart of college life.

It runs numerous emotional and physical health support initiatives throughout the academic year, including the Healthy Campus initiative, which encourages students to take part in a range of activities designed to improve their well-being.

The college wants the students there to be good people. The instilment of the College Values is instrumental in this, as is its commitment to equality and diversity. Everyone is made to feel welcome and supported at Bishop Burton College. All students are treated fairly and we recognise and actively promote difference, whether it is through race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

What students say about Bishop Burton

Chantelle Beaumont-Hayes, BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture

Chantelle Beaumont-Hayes

“Bishop Burton is a really good college. Everyone is there to help you and having the farm to work on helps you understand it more, rather than just sitting in a classroom. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to study agriculture.”

Callum Clark, BTEC Level 3 in Animal Management

Callum Clark

“It is a really well-structured course. The facilities are brilliant and the tutors are ace. I live on campus because I come from near London and there is nowhere quite like this. It is definitely the place to be if you want to work with animals, I would say.”

Leia Cole, BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport

Leia Cole

“You get all the support you need here. The sports facilities are excellent, as are the coaches. I definitely want to work in the sporting industry now.”

Georgia Pearson, BTEC Level 3 in Equine Management

Georgina Pearson

“Everyone is really welcoming and I found I fitted in here really well. There is so much you can learn about the industry here and it equips you for whatever you want to do working with horses.”

Manver Ahluwalia, CSkills Level 1 Diploma in Bricklaying

Manver Ahluwalia

“The staff are all really good and friendly. If you need any help they are always there for you. I’ve met so many people at Bishop Burton and I’ve learned something different every day. It is a really good college.”

It is not too late to secure your place at the Outstanding BTEC College of the Year for this academic year, as Bishop Burton College is still accepting applications. To apply for a place, visit www.bishopburton.ac.uk or call 01964 553 000.